During a voice test, how should the nurse communicate with the client?

The nurse should communicate with the client by whispering from the client’s side in a voice test to assess the clarity and quality of conversation sounds. Whispering allows the nurse to create a softer, more relatable sound that can be clearer for the client, especially if there is a hearing impairment or if the goal is to evaluate the patient’s ability to discern speech at lower volumes.

Whispering also mimics natural conversational tones, providing a more realistic environment for the test. This method encourages the patient to focus on auditory discrimination and can help gauge their hearing ability without overwhelming them with louder sounds.

The other methods of communication, such as speaking loudly, using a tuning fork, or drawing diagrams, do not fit the purpose of a voice test as closely. Speaking loudly could distort the patient's response, while a tuning fork is not typically utilized for voice testing but rather for tuning and evaluating bone and air conduction. Drawing diagrams does not effectively assess auditory function or facilitate a voice test scenario.